Nothing but the Truth

play by John Kani (2002), his first play as sole playwright, led to a film and a novel, became hugely popular and won a number of awards. Published by Wits University Press in 2002.

See also: Nothing but the Truth (by James Montgomery)

Subject

Set in post-apartheid South Africa, it tells the story of an elderly man wrestling with society, his family and most of all himself, to leave the past behind, but not to forget it.

Performance history in South Africa

Premièred at the Grahamstown Festival in June 2002, directed by Janice Honeyman with John Kani, Pamela Nomvete and Dambisa Kente. The same production was staged at the Baxter Theatre in July 2002. It went to the Market Theatre in September 2002 with Kani, Nomvete and Nthati Moshesh in the cast - Moshesh took over from Dambisa Kente when Kente (44) collapsed a day after performing for Nelson Mandela in a dress rehearsal and died shortly thereafter. The same production was staged at the Opera House in Port Elizabeth In November 2002.

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Winner of inter alia Fleur du Cap Best Actor Award and Fleur du Cap Award for Best New Indigenous Script in 2002 and five Naledi awards (e.g. Best New SA Play; Best Production) for the period August 2002 to December 2003. A successful tour of the USA and Australia followed in 2003-4. Nothing but the truth by John Kani (2002) Baxter Theatre. Pamela Nomvete.

A film based on the play and under the same title was released in 2008. Produced by Jazz Spirit Production, Odélion Films, Kani wrote the screenplay and directed the film with himself, Rosie Motene, Motshabi Tyelele, Warona Seane and Esmeralda Bihl in the cast.

Sources

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